Kampala — Local authorities are failing the implementation of the 'No Smoking in Public Places ban', Uganda's environmental watchdog has said.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, The environment Inspector at the National Environment Management Authority, Mr Patrick Kamanda blamed people who give out trade licences for their lack of involvement. In controlling smoking in public places.

Mr Kamanda said people who give trade licenses should only issue them after the developer has complied with the set environmental conditions.

In 2004, the then Minister for Water, Lands and Environment, Mr Kahinda Otafiire banned smoking in public places and ordered the police to arrest culprits but the order has never been observed.

The aim was to protect non smokers from being exposed to the risk of passive smoking. The regulations also banned smoking in public service vehicles.